Apr 22, 2002 3 min read

Dear Editor: In a news article dated Feb. 6, Jim Hercik, chief county assessor denied that he ever conducted spot assessment, yet I had appealed my reassessment before him. In 1991 spot assessments were done in certain mining communities and other selected areas. I challenged it before the then-county commissioners Suzanne Teslovich, Fred Lebder and Bob Jones. Since they were doing spot assessments and not countywide reassessments I challenged that it was illegal, and a former county commissioner and attorney agreed.

Teslovich was behind the spot assessment. She was quoted as saying, “I will be looking at alternate ways to update the system without going into a countywide reassessment program.” In April 1999, Don Defino, a county commissioner candidate, accused Teslovich of conducting a system in which numerous properties were illegally spot assessed. Teslovich said there was no truth whatsoever to Defino’s accusations, yet she claimed the program generated $7.6 million of increased property values and additional revenue of $1.9 million. These increases were a result of the illegal spot assessment with property owners paying the increased property taxes.

Property owners are now being mailed notices of the new market value of their properties for the 2003 tax year. Again the aging and declining area of mining communities are hard hit with higher market values and higher taxes. Homes that were bought from the coal company for $1,200 and are 100 years old are marketed at $40,000 to $50,000. Sure, this price is good in developing areas but not in areas that have been at a standstill. These triple taxes are out of control with some older homes taxed higher and newer homes taxed less.

Politicians should remember that Fayette County has many elderly people. They shouldn’t be made to pay more taxes that become burdensome to make ends meet. I know there are elderly out there who don’t know the appeal process and that is another sad part of this reassessment.

In a March 20 article Cole Layer Trumble, the reassessment firm, was given a passing mark by an auditing firm saying the reassessments were in a statistically acceptable range.

Yet, there are several flaws. Across from where I live a lot assessed for $53,710 shows the land for $7,020 and a building at $46,690; yet the lot is empty. There is also an older trailer assessed at $32,000 while other trailers around it are $3,000. How many more flaws are out there? Were amateurs doing this reassessment?

Our tax dollars of $3 million are being spent to do this reassessment. My advice to all who are not satisfied with their market value, appeal, write Letters to the Editor, get on the talk shows. Remember, the tax notices we are getting now show the new county taxes and while it may not seem too much higher and some are even slightly lower, wait until you get your school taxes.

For many years there has been talk about changing the system of property taxes. We have had enough lip service. It’s time for action. Show your frustration at the polls and to the county commissioners.

If the reassessment remains as is then there has to be a county protest. Put a challenge to our politicians. They have made a good life for themselves as more taxes are put upon us. Make them accountable and responsible to the people For too many years they have had it their way.

William Rostich

Footedale